Friday, December 25, 2015

Looking to get rid of dark circles and under-eye bags?


RIVERDALE — Those bags under the eyes caused by any number of issues can be upsetting to women and men alike, and while there is no scientific evidence that over-the-counter remedies work, they are worth a try.
Whether they show up after an allergy attack or result from a good cry, bags under the eyes can be unsightly and embarrassing for those who suffer. Strategies to reduce them depend on diligence and the individual.
Dr. Marc Abbate of the Dermatology Group inRiverdale says over-the-counter remedies, from eye-rolling cosmetics to collagen fillers, are not scientifically proven to work, although he did not say they do not work.
"Some people have a worse problem than others," said Abbate. "And, sometimes, it’s just age that causes this."
In addition to bags under the eyes, dark circles can be an issue. Caused by leaking blood vessels and thinning skin, dark circles can be attributed to aging or genetics, said Abbate.
According to WebMD, a simple dinner of salty foods or a night of crying can cause morning puffiness.
"The reason is osmosis," states the website. "Water always travels from areas in the body where there’s low salt concentrations to tissues where there’s more salt. That principle holds true whether the salt comes from tears or from soy sauce."
Vitamin K and kojic acid are helpful to alleviate eye bags and darkening, said Abbate, but there are no guarantees. Even cucumbers resting on the eyes are no real, proven relief.
But there is some hope for those struggling with a medical condition, such as dermatitis, eczema or roseacea, all of which can cause irritation under the eye.